Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-14

! 10 the lSIisIaIuTe, WHICH WIS TSau To-Day
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, STATE OF TEXAS,
AUSTIN, Jan. II, 1887
Gentlemen of the Senate and House OF Repre-
| sentatives:
Fer the fourth time have the honol
and pleasure of communicating with tn
chosen representatives of the people OF
matters pertaining to the general veal Q.
the commonwealth. In doing so, takt
pride in welcoming you to the capital, anC
feel confident that the wise consideration
you will give the questions coming before
you, coupled with your knowledge of the
:nefficiency of many of the laws now on
our statute books, will enable you to
promptly pass such measures as the needs
Of the public demand and the circum-
stances OF each case Call for.
REVENUE AND TAXATION.
The present rate of taxation may be re-
carded adequate for general purposes.
OF course, in case of large and costly in
provements in the way of public institu-
tions, such as have been effected in the
last four years, and the erection OF Q new
asylum for the inSane-nOne OF which cen
be classed IS current or usua! expenses
the present rate would not be sufficient.
For all ordinary purposes, however, it
will be found equal to our needs, anG will
produce the necessary revenue TO meet
every obligation and perhaps yield q
surplus.
German to this subject, it is proper to
remind you that under the laws as they
now exist there is no mode by which co.,
lectors and accounting Off -ers can tell
how much school fund and how much gen.
er&l revenue has been collected until the
close OF the fiscal year. As aconsequence
the comptroller can arbitrarily apportlOn
same from the general moneys placed in
mis- hands, ard oftentimes makes the sep
aratIon or division without reference to
actual facts. The comptroller should not
be charged with this duty, because he
has nothing 10 guide him. Under the
present condition Of things he may de-
post to the school or general revenue,
according 10 his best Judgment or Ca
price, and thus augment or diminish
either fund by u simple str Ike OF the pen.
There is also custom now prevailing
of mopeY going into the hands OF the
comptroller which Is in direct violation
of the spirit and letter of the constitution.
Oar form of government provides tor
but one custodian of the peoples money
alter il Is paid over by the county colleC-
tors, an d that custodian is-the treasurer
of the state. To correct this abuse the
comptroller should merely be charged
with making settlements end issuing
deposit warrants corresponding with
same, but the money in every instance
should be paid directly to the treasurer.
Again, repeat tnet there is grest in
equality in the payment of taxes in this
state. There are too many ways by
which large wealth avoids its Just bur
den Of government, especially in regard
to the irregular assessment of property.
The loose methods often adopted under
this heading screens the rich from bear
ing their honest responsibilities, and i'm
poses on the middle classes q proportion
of taxes greatly in excess of their right
full burden.
During portion of the past four years
taxation has been reduced from twenty
two (22) to seventeen and a half Q7H
cents on the 81. The government was
enabled TO get along on this small revenue
by using or borrowing certain special
funds that were in the treasury, and
which for years had been lying idle, draw
ing no interest whatever for the institu-
lions to which they belonged. These
moneys were withdrawn from circulation,
they lay in the treasury vaults as so much
dead capital, they were unproductive and
unprofCabie; and therefore when the
state was called upon to meet eXtraordi-
nary expenditures, and cope with emer-
gencies for which no provision had been
made, there were only two ways left open,
namely-either to increase the general
taxation on the people, or borrow from
the idle wealth which had been so long
shut up, seemingly for ornamentaticn
rather t1an use. | Sug ested the latter
course, and what has been the result?
These special funds that had been
locked away and were earning nothing
are now drawing per cent. interest for
the institutions to which they are credit
ed, every dollar Of them Is secured by
bond in conformitI with the statute, and
thus they have been made TO serve the
double purpose of accommodating pub
lie want while grestly adding to their own
material value. The institutions they
represent receive an income now where
otherwise they would not derive cent
of profit; the money that was withheld
from public circulation, and uSelessly tied |
up in our vaults, has been returned to the |
hands of the people, and taxation has |
been reduced to the lowest possible rate. |
If these funds amounted to millions in
steSd Of $40, 600, it would be wise states |
to use hem in the same way.
STATE AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.
Notwithstanding the fact that the run
ming expenses of government are con-
stsntly growing larger, it is gratifying to
know that here in Texes they are more
no n bu 10 OF Nv NV i,,cr
ia taxable values which prevail in every
section and characterize every branch of
industry and trade.
l desire to specially impress on the
legislature the Importance OF throwing
all necessary restrictions around munich
pal governments, county and CITY,
relative to the creating of debts end levy
ing taxes. 1t is our experience that ell
acal governments have an universal
tendency to levy ali the taxes law will
permit. Too much caution cannot be
given this branch OF legislation, and
Tnil considering it we might remember
Win profit the axiom that ga people who
re in debt are in slavery" For all (
4ecessary public buildings aud improve (
nents they should have ample power, but
or luxuries and enterprises Of doubtful
the lines should be closely /
lrawn. If some system could be devised :
" which to lesson or avoid the present ,
Excessive rates for collecting revenues il /
would greatly reduce taxation. Some i
elief might be had on this score by re- {
uiring the citizen to go forward and pay 7
is taxes to the party appointed to receive
he same in each county, or, IN case of I
efault, the legal costs of collecting
ould be added to the amount due, thus t
the officer in the event OF his S
aving to go out and make collections. |
There is another matter OF grave a